Port reservoir cleaning system and method

Abstract

Devices and methods for cleaning a port, including a port reservoir and other aspects of the port, whereby a trocar/cannula assembly is introduced to the port reservoir. The trocar is withdrawn from the port reservoir, providing access to the reservoir. A cleaning member is then advanced through the cannula, and can remove an unwanted material therefrom.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of cleaning at least one port reservoir, the method comprising:
 inserting an assembly into the at least one port reservoir by piercing a septum of the at least one port reservoir, the assembly comprising:
 a trocar comprising a trocar proximal end and a trocar distal end, the trocar distal end terminating in a sharp tip; and 
 a cannula comprising a cannula proximal end, a cannula distal end and a cannula lumen extending therebetween; 
 
 removing the trocar from the cannula; and 
 inserting a cleaning member through the cannula lumen and into the at least one port reservoir, the cleaning member comprising a cleaning member proximal end, a cleaning member distal end, a cleaning member shaft and a cleaning member lumen extending between the cleaning member proximal end and the cleaning member distal end, wherein a portion of the cleaning member distal end of the cleaning member shaft is flexible. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cannula further comprises a valve element disposed across the cannula lumen. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the cleaning member shaft and a second portion of the cleaning member shaft have a different flexural modulus. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the cleaning member shaft and the second portion of the cleaning member shaft comprise polymers of different durometers. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion of the cleaning member shaft comprises a reinforcing member. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member distal end comprises a plurality of scraping members. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning member distal end is pre-curved. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 inserting a wire element through the cannula lumen beyond a cannula lumen distal opening for a selected distance. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wire element comprises a shape memory metal. 
     
     
       10. A method of cleaning at least one port reservoir, the method comprising:
 inserting an assembly into an at least one port reservoir, the assembly comprising:
 a trocar; and 
 a cannula comprising a cannula lumen; 
 
 removing the trocar from the cannula; and 
 inserting a cleaning member through the cannula lumen and into the at least one port reservoir, the cleaning member comprising a cleaning member proximal end, a cleaning member distal end, a cleaning member shaft extending between the cleaning member proximal end and the cleaning member distal end, wherein a portion of the cleaning member distal end of the cleaning member shaft is flexible. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the assembly is inserted into the at least one port reservoir by piercing a septum of the at least one port reservoir. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein a trocar distal end terminates in a sharp tip. 
     
     
       13. A method of cleaning at least one port reservoir, the method comprising:
 inserting an assembly into the at least one port reservoir, the assembly comprising a cannula comprising a cannula lumen; and 
 inserting a cleaning member through the cannula lumen and into the at least one port reservoir, the cleaning member comprising a cleaning member proximal end, a cleaning member distal end, and a cleaning member shaft extending between the cleaning member proximal end and the cleaning member distal end, wherein a portion of the cleaning member distal end of the cleaning member shaft is flexible.